Pastor’s Corner “Inreach Ministry Team”

Let love be genuine. Love one another with brotherly affection.Outdo one another in showing honor.Romans 12:9, 10

Earlier this week I popped into Panera for breakfast. Sitting at a table were six members of our Immanuel family, “loving one another with brotherly affection.” These three couples (along with a fourth who recently moved) have been meeting at Panera for years, enjoying each other’s company, and providing particular support and encouragement for one another during difficult seasons of life.

I thought to myself, not for the first time, “This is church.”

Jesus and his followers (especially Paul, John, Peter, and James) emphasize the importance of loving the family of God, our brothers and sisters in Christ, in both word and deed. One of the ways we do this at Immanuel is through the “Inreach Ministry Team.” Mike Harpster facilitates this team, and he describes it below:

The Inreach Team consists of two people as a core group. One provides the overall coordination of satisfying needs (Mike Harpster) and one manages the Meal Train (Shea Millette). The rest of the team consists of everyone (that means you!) that is willing to help brothers and sisters in Christ when they are in need. During the past several years, the Inreach Team has participated in events to respond to the needs of fellow parishioners.  These events include:

Meal Train provides meals to church families following deaths, surgeries, illness or other unfortunate situations.

Wood Chucking performs outdoor cleanup of fallen trees or branches, cutting grass or blowing leaves.

Home Repair provides assistance with minor electrical, plumbing, and carpentry needs.

Transportation to and from therapy, doctor and medical appointments.

Socialization includes spending time with someone that is homebound while their care giver runs to the store or just enjoys some downtime.

Computer/Cell Phone Assistance is the occasional instruction or quick fix to everyday tech issues.

Financial Assistance refers not to monetary support, but education and guidance on managing personal finances. (Immanuel does have a Benevolence Fund through which we provide occasional monetary assistance. Please speak directly with the Rector if you have a financial need.)

Anyone within the Immanuel family in need, or knowing of someone in need, can contact Clergy or staff. The Inreach Coordinator engages the team with the blessing of the Rector.

Notice that every member of Immanuel can participate on this team! Would you please tell Mike Harpster (mikeharpster@comcast.net) what skills you could offer when a need arises among our church members?

And, of course, if you have a need or know of a need within the church, please do as Mike writes and let me or the church office know (office@iachurch.org). Asking for help, and helping, is a tangible way to “let love be genuine.”

Your Pastor in Christ,